Get the lead out... and the cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Months after the EU's July 1 deadline, an ongoing RoHS survey revealed that 83% of respondents were at severe to high risk of not being able to demonstrate compliance, says Michael Topolovac, CEO, Arena Solutions, a Foster City, Calif.-based provider of PLM solutions. In addition, 69% indicated that they did not have a centralized compliance management solution in place that was accessible to employees and suppliers.
Here are Topolovac's start-up guidelines:
- Consider the compliance management capability as a significant PLM differentiator.
- Establish and communicate C-level commitment to compliance.
- If you haven't already, get the products compliant.
- Develop internal controls to assure maintenance of compliance. Include design for compliance.
- Make sure you're ready to report on compliance. One way is to demonstrate that a compliance-dedicated process is operating.
- Establish controls to assure that products stay in compliance.
- Plan and build the foundation for future compliance beyond RoHS.
- Organize regulatory compliance as a marketing opportunity by investing in information technology that can automate compliance as well as demonstrate your "green" commitment.
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